Stories from 9 November 2009
Video: The world commemorates the fall of the Berlin Wall
Today is the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, a complex security structure that once divided East and West Berlin in Germany. Today we are showcasing some of the videos from throughout the globe that are being uploaded to commemorate this date and what it meant to barriers not only in Germany, but throughout the world.
Colombia: Preserving Afro-Colombian Culture in San Basilio de Palenque
The descendants of escaped African slaves, who are now living in the village of San Basilio de Palenque in northern Colombia are working to preserve their cultural heritage through their oral and musical traditions.
Russia: Bloggers Discuss 20th Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall
Twenty years after the fall of the Berlin Wall just a handful of Russian bloggers mention what some call "the most important event in the history of the 20th century." Some use the date to remind readers about the current political situation, others practice their cynicism, but most ask themselves: "Why no one talks about this date? Why is it not publicly celebrated?"
India: Barring Foreign Journalists
“In barring foreign journalists from going to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh to report the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama’s week-long visit to the northeastern State which China off and on claims as its own, has the Manmohan Singh government thumbed its nose at India’s great democratic traditions?” asks Sans...
Pakistan: Shanaakht Festival
Faisal Kapadia attended the Shanakht Festival in Karachi and writes: ‘I would recommend all of you to hurry and catch a glimpse of a side of us not often on show, plus its totally free folks!!”
India: Sharing Expenses And Gender Equality
Nita J. Kulkarni at A Wide Angle View Of India raises a debate on whether a working couple should share the financial burden equally. She comments: “I believe that this issue of women being reluctant to share their income is more about personalities rather than anything else.”
China: Teachers’ strike
Husunzi from China Study group blogs about a recent teachers’ strike from three privately-owned primary and secondary schools in Chengdu, Sichuan. The strike was against the government's taking over the management of one of the schools.
China: Protest against government “hook” by chopping little finger off
Xujun Eberlein from Inside-out China blogs about a 18-year-old man Sun Zhongjie's act of chopping off his little finger off to protest against the Shanghai Traffic Management Bureau's “hook” on “black taxi driver”.
Featured Author: Maryna Reshetnyak
As Global Voices Russian Language Health Editor, Maryna Reshetnyak spends most of her time covering the Kiev-based Rising Voices grantee project, The Drop-In Center. She also blogs on Global Voices about discussions in the Russian-language blogosphere related to health.
China and Hong Kong: Is Dialogue Possible?
Roland Soong talks about the inward-looking character of both Hong Kong and Mainland bloggers and discusses the thesis on whether or not cross-border dialogue is possible.
Ukraine: Internet Offers Swine Flu Common Sense
Inconsistency in health officials’ reports about the flu epidemic in Ukraine has led to rumors and gossip. The Internet has served as a medium for unbiased information about the epidemic, as well as professional advice on how to stay safe. .
Nigeria: Remembering Ken Saro-Wiwa
Chidi Opara remembers Ken Saro-Wiwa, the Nigerian writer, environmental and minority rights activist who was executed on 10th November, 1995 by the then military rulers of Nigeria
Kenya: Mwai Kibaki and Odinga must co-operate with ICC
The Partnership for Change has issued a statement calling for Mwai Kibaki And Raila Odinga to cooperate with the International Criminal Court and ensure The Special Tribunal Bill in Kenya is passed and enacted into law within two weeks.
Angola: The high cost of living in Luanda
The high cost of living in the country is paradoxical: Angola's high development indicators are not reflected in the finances of the majority of Angola's citizens and do not translate to quality of life for those less economically well off.
Uganda & Kenya: In Search of e-Governance
Good governance has been linked to gains in economic and human development. Governments have begun using technologies to offer more citizen services, expand transparency and make information more accessible. We look at how Kenya and Uganda use ICTs to create better governance.
Southern Madagascar Hit Hard by Severe Drought and Toxic Spill
While the political direction of Madagascar remains mired in total uncertainty since the coup d'etat in March, in Addis Ababa, the international community is again trying to mediate an agreement between the various political movements. The president of the African Union and one of the mediators present in Addis Ababa,...
Cameroon: Bloggers discuss Paul Biya's 27 years in power
On 6th November 2009, President Paul Biya of the West African state of Cameroon celebrated his 27th anniversary in power by writing a letter to his citizens. The letter was issued to Cameroonians via daily newspapers in the country of nearly 20 million inhabitants. Cameroonian bloggers discuss his 27 years in power.
Russia: Officer Exposes Police Corruption Using the Web
On November 6, a police officer at the Department of Internal Affairs in Novorossiysk used his personal Web site to address Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and talk about numerous problems police officers face in Russia.
Egypt: Swine Flu Update
From Egypt, Zeinobia brings us an update on H1N1 or swine flu.
Saudi Arabia: The Houthis, Iran and Saudi Arabia
John Burgess at Crossroads Arabia connects the dots between the Houthis in Yemen, Saudi Arabia and Iran.
Egypt: Free Kareem Rally in DC
Supporters in Washington DC, US, stage a rally in support of jailed Egyptian blogger Kareem Nabil Sulaiman, or Kareem Amer. Free Kareem has more.
